Shakespeare AM/FM marine antenna used for a home stereo receiver.

[scarablover99]

Hi all I have a question.
How can I split the lead from the antenna?
The antenna connections on the back of the receiver are a cable screw on connector for FM and two spring connectors for AM.
I have an idea on how to do it but I thought it would be better to ask people who know what they are doing.
Thank you in advance for the replies.
Paul

 

[highfigh]

Hi all I have a question.
How can I split the lead from the antenna?
The antenna connections on the back of the receiver are a cable screw on connector for FM and two spring connectors for AM.
I have an idea on how to do it but I thought it would be better to ask people who know what they are doing.
Thank you in advance for the replies.
Paul

The antenna you need depends on where you are in relation to the broadcast tower and surrounding area. If you're thinking about using this antenna just because you have it, why? Do you think you need more signal? If you're extremely close to the towers, it's the last thin you need.

Explain your location & thinking and post the part number of the antenna.

What connector is on the antenna's cable? If it's a Motorola type plug (used on car radios), find out if the cable is stranded or solid wire- adapters exist for all types of connectors. If it's solid, you can connect an F connector and use a splitter- one port goes to the FM jack and with a 75-300 Ohm balun, you can connect it to the AM terminals.

If you're extremely close to the towers, as I am, this will not work- you'll pick up all of the reflected signal and interference along with the intended signal and you won't want to use the tuner.

 

[scarablover99]

The antenna you need depends on where you are in relation to the broadcast tower and surrounding area. If you're thinking about using this antenna just because you have it, why? Do you think you need more signal? If you're extremely close to the towers, it's the last thin you need.

Explain your location & thinking and post the part number of the antenna.

What connector is on the antenna's cable? If it's a Motorola type plug (used on car radios), find out if the cable is stranded or solid wire- adapters exist for all types of connectors. If it's solid, you can connect an F connector and use a splitter- one port goes to the FM jack and with a 75-300 Ohm balun, you can connect it to the AM terminals.

If you're extremely close to the towers, as I am, this will not work- you'll pick up all of the reflected signal and interference along with the intended signal and you won't want to use the tuner.

Good afternoon highfigh thank you very much for your reply.
The antenna is a Shakespeare 5120 with RG52 cable and a Motorola connector.
I live in Plymouth, MA.
I guess most of the broadcasting towers are within 50 or 60 miles for the radio stations that we listen to.
And yes it's an antenna I have.
I was thinking about using it because the loop for the AM band, and the single wire for the FM band really don't work too well.
I've seen splitters with one cable connector and two wires with fork connectors. I'm not sure if that's what you were talking about. I didn't know if I could just cut the forks off and strip the wires for the AM antenna connection (spring tabs) and just convert the Motorola connector to the male cable connector.
I didn't want to waste any money buying the splitter and converter cable if the receiver wouldn't recognize the signals.
The receiver is a Yamaha R-S202.
Thanks again.
Paul

 

[highfigh]

Good afternoon highfigh thank you very much for your reply.
The antenna is a Shakespeare 5120 with RG52 cable and a Motorola connector.
I live in Plymouth, MA.
I guess most of the broadcasting towers are within 50 or 60 miles for the radio stations that we listen to.
And yes it's an antenna I have.
I was thinking about using it because the loop for the AM band, and the single wire for the FM band really don't work too well.
I've seen splitters with one cable connector and two wires with fork connectors. I'm not sure if that's what you were talking about. I didn't know if I could just cut the forks off and strip the wires for the AM antenna connection (spring tabs) and just convert the Motorola connector to the male cable connector.
I didn't want to waste any money buying the splitter and converter cable if the receiver wouldn't recognize the signals.
The receiver is a Yamaha R-S202.
Thanks again.
Paul

Do you not see braided wire in the cable? While FM can be picked up with a single wire, the cable on your antenna is shielded.

The receiver will work even if the cable is technically a mismatch. How well depends on the distance to the tower, frequency, signal strength, etc. I have found that my tuner works well for a particular station with a 75-300 Ohm balun that has a twist tie from a loaf of bread attached to one screw. Seriously. It works well enough for the few stations I listen to that I don't bother to change it.

If you may possibly use it for a marine application in the future but want to try it for this, you can cut off about a foot of cable and save the piece with the Motorola end and reconnect it later. F connectors should work fine- just make sure they're the correct size- contact Belden or someone and ask for the part number of a cable end and ask if it would match the RG59 or RG6 part.

 

[TLS Guy]

Good afternoon highfigh thank you very much for your reply.
The antenna is a Shakespeare 5120 with RG52 cable and a Motorola connector.
I live in Plymouth, MA.
I guess most of the broadcasting towers are within 50 or 60 miles for the radio stations that we listen to.
And yes it's an antenna I have.
I was thinking about using it because the loop for the AM band, and the single wire for the FM band really don't work too well.
I've seen splitters with one cable connector and two wires with fork connectors. I'm not sure if that's what you were talking about. I didn't know if I could just cut the forks off and strip the wires for the AM antenna connection (spring tabs) and just convert the Motorola connector to the male cable connector.
I didn't want to waste any money buying the splitter and converter cable if the receiver wouldn't recognize the signals.
The receiver is a Yamaha R-S202.
Thanks again.
Paul

That is a marine band radio antenna. The FM frequency is 156 to 174 MHz. The impedance termination is 93 ohms. The domestic FM band is 87.5 to 108 MHz.
Impedance termination should be 75 ohms. So you antenna is tuned to a shorter wavelength and has the wrong impedance termination.

At the distance you are from the stations you listen to, that is not the correct antenna to be using. To get decent reception at that distance you are going to need a tuned multi element array, preferably on your roof, or at least in the attic.

 

[Speedskater]

For a receiving antenna, the difference between 93 Ohm coax and a 75 Ohm input is trivial. Just find a Motorola connector adapter and try it. And actually it is an AM/FM broadcast band antenna, but it's not the type of antenna designed for receiving distant stations.
Lots of great FM antennas at:

88–108 MHz

ham-radio.com

 

[highfigh]

That is a marine band radio antenna. The FM frequency is 156 to 174 MHz. The impedance termination is 93 ohms. The domestic FM band is 87.5 to 108 MHz.
Impedance termination should be 75 ohms. So you antenna is tuned to a shorter wavelength and has the wrong impedance termination.

At the distance you are from the stations you listen to, that is not the correct antenna to be using. To get decent reception at that distance you are going to need a tuned multi element array, preferably on your roof, or at least in the attic.

And yet, many boaters use these successfully. It's not necessary to deal in absolutes in every case.

However, this is from their web page for the 5120 antenna-

5120 Specifications​
Band:​	AM-FM​